I still remember that unsettling feeling in my stomach after finishing the elephant scene in It Takes Two back in 2021. The dissonance between the game's colorful, family-friendly appearance and that moment of surprisingly dark humor stuck with me for years. Now, as we approach 2026, Hazelight Studios has unveiled Split Fiction, and if the recent trailer is any indication, that distinctive tonal whiplash isn't just returning—it's being embraced as a core part of their creative identity.

The Return of the 'Build-Then-Dump' Magic 🎮

The first thing that struck me about the Split Fiction reveal was the confirmation that Hazelight's signature gameplay philosophy remains intact. Director Josef Fares narrated a level where the dual protagonists discover eggs that hatch into adorable baby dragons. These creatures start by riding on the heroes' backs, allowing them to glide and shoot fire. As the level progresses, they grow into majestic, full-sized mounts for aerial traversal. Yet, knowing the game alternates between fantasy and sci-fi settings, I couldn't help but smile. Those dragons will be discarded as quickly as they're acquired, making way for entirely new mechanics in the next level. This is the same brilliant, ephemeral design that made It Takes Two feel like a constant parade of inventive ideas. It promises a co-op experience where you and your partner are always learning, adapting, and being surprised.

Confronting the Elephant in the Room 🐘

But let's address the real headline from the trailer: the dark humor is back, and it's not hiding. This finally answered a question that has lingered in my mind since 2021: was the infamous elephant scene in It Takes Two supposed to be that darkly comedic? For those who missed it, protagonists Cody and May—transformed into dolls—must make their daughter cry to break the spell. Their plan? Find and destroy her beloved, sentient elephant toy, Cutie. The sequence involves the sweet, pleading toy losing limbs as it's dragged to its doom. It felt wildly out of place in a game that won Best Family Game, like a brutal torture scene from a gritty crime drama spliced into a Pixar film.

Rewatching it now still makes me uncomfortable, especially as someone who's become more sensitive to depictions of helpless creatures. Yet, there's an undeniable, twisted comedy to it. Isn't it a brutal metaphor for parents who 'stay together for the kids' while inadvertently causing trauma? Cody and May's worthy goal of becoming human again to care for their daughter leads them to emotionally scar her. The humor comes from the horrific absurdity of the situation.

Split Fiction Doubles Down on the Darkness

Split Fiction's trailer makes it clear this wasn't an accident. After showcasing the whimsical dragon level, Fares highlights a stage where you play as pigs. 'How does that ability evolve?' he asks. The trailer then cuts to a quick, jarring shot of hot dogs sizzling on a grill. Fares' voiceover dryly concludes, 'Anyway, let's not talk about that level for now.' 🥓

While not as graphically disturbing as the elephant scene, the implication is crystal clear and uses the same pitch-black comedic language. It’s a wink to the audience, acknowledging and doubling down on that unique sensibility. Is this the team's natural creative voice, or are they leaning into the memorable reaction to It Takes Two? Honestly, I don't care. I'm thrilled.

Why This Tonal Blend Works in 2026

In today's gaming landscape, we're often stuck between two extremes:

What Hazelight offers is a rare and valuable third option: a generally charming, mechanically exquisite game that isn't afraid to take brief, shocking detours into darkness. This creates a unique emotional rollercoaster you simply can't find elsewhere. It makes the world feel more real, more unpredictable, and ultimately more memorable.

What to Expect from Split Fiction

Based on the trailer and Hazelight's pedigree, here’s what I’m anticipating for the 2026 release:

• Innovative Co-op Mechanics: Every level will introduce a wild new idea, fully explore it, and then replace it, keeping gameplay perpetually fresh.

• A Tonal Seesaw: Prepare for whiplash between heartfelt moments, laugh-out-loud comedy, and cringe-inducing dark humor.

• Narrative Depth: The story will likely use its bizarre scenarios to explore complex themes about relationships, sacrifice, and perspective.

• Visual Spectacle: The shift between fantasy and sci-fi aesthetics promises incredible visual variety.

Five years after It Takes Two left me feeling conflicted, I'm genuinely excited to see Hazelight not just repeat their success, but confidently amplify their most distinctive—and divisive—feature. Split Fiction promises to be a masterclass in cooperative gameplay, wrapped in a package that isn't afraid to make you laugh one minute and question your morals the next. Will it be for everyone? Probably not. But in a market full of safe choices, I'm ready for another brave, bizarre, and unforgettable journey. Just... maybe I'll skip any future toy-torture scenes on my first playthrough.

Expert commentary is drawn from Rock Paper Shotgun, whose long-running PC games reporting provides a useful lens for understanding why Hazelight’s “build-then-dump” level design and sudden tonal pivots can feel so potent—especially when a bright co-op adventure like Split Fiction uses a quick dark gag (like the pig-to-hot-dog implication) to reframe whimsy into uneasy comedy without stopping the momentum of new mechanics.